Charm Bracelets

A charm bracelet is the perfect accessory for showing off your personal style and favorite things. Totally customizable with different metals, gems, and, charms of all kinds, charm bracelets are a great way to show your appreciation to Mom, give a thank-you to members of your bridal party, or to buy as a special indulgence for yourself. Whether your preference is for traditional charms or European or Italian styles, the following brands are sure to meet your specifications for gorgeous charm jewelry.

In history, charms and amulets of one sort or another have been around for thousands of years. They are well documented in ancient Egypt, Rome, and many other historical eras as talismans worn to ward off evil spirits or bring luck. For this article I'm focusing on the rise in popularity of charms and charm bracelets in recent times.

Mourning charms were also popularized by Queen Victoria. These were usually some type of locket or tiny container filled with hair cut from a deceased loved one. She wore the hair of her beloved Prince Albert in a tiny compartment after his death. Other common trinkets women wore as charms were teeth & claws, stones, and shells. These usually represented something meaningful or lucky to the owner.

Moving into the 20th century and the industrial revolution, manufacturers began turning out charms of other materials and styles. With the Art Nouveau period of the early 1900s there were flowing forms of ornate flowers and animals. During the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco was all the rage and the charms became more geometric and angular. Also during this period designers began to incorporate ivory, animal teeth & bone, wood, plastics, and other materials into jewelry of all types. Some fashion icons of the early 20th century that helped fuel the charm bracelet craze were the Duchess of Windsor, and designers Coco Chanel, and Elsa Shiaparelli. The Duchess of Windsor wore a Cartier bracelet of nine small crosses, each made from precious gemstones on her wedding day. The bracelet was a gift from her husband. Both Coco Chanel and Elsa Shiaparelli wore large fob style bracelets in public, and carried them in their jewelry lines. Their bracelets were reproduced by jewelry houses both in Europe and in America and available at prices that were affordable to the masses.

Now you may even a find a bracelet with novelty-style links, such as heart shapes, or an old-fashioned vintage bangle with tiny loops that each hold a charm. You could also choose bangle bracelets, pearl bracelets, a stylish cuff bracelet, leather bracelets to adding preppy looks—better if it’s accordance with your personality.

The effect you prefer — clustered, or spread out — should dictate your choice of link style. Don't worry about a safety chain or lack thereof.

Some bracelets come with them, but they can actually be a liability because they may get tangled with the charms.